Lipstick refill cartridge



Oct. 2.3, 1.956 R SHERMAN 2,767,834

LIPSTICK REFILL CARTRIDGE Filed Jan. s, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 :inventor 'Gttornegs Oct. 23, 1956 Q Ri SHERMAN 2,767,834

LIPSTICK REFILL CARTRIDGE Filed Jan. 3, 1952- 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snventor (Zaaalme @QM/7e fe/wm/Z Oct. 23, 1956 c. R. SHERMAN 2,767,834

. y LIPSTICK REFILL CARTRIDGE Filed Jan. 3, 1.952. 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 83 si g l a v g I 476 75 rl' 8l 117g. /7 79 V84 a4 79 $2/ I Jnventor ZQaa/Pe 2eme J/ye/"mafz M un attorney United States Patent O LIPSTICK REFILL CARTRIDGE Claudine Reine Sherman, New York, N. Y., assignor to Charles V. Flynn, Scarsdale, N. Y.

Application January 3, 1952, Serial No. 264,723 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) This invention relates to refill cartridges for lipstick holders.'

An object of the invention is to provide an improved lipstick refill cartridge which will enable a user very easily and quickly to transfer solely `the lipstick itself from the cartridge to the holder without smudging or soiling the lingers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved reill cartridge of the type having a lipstick and a cup which is to be inserted as a unit into the holder, said cartridge being so constituted that the lipstick unit may be inserted with great ease and facility into the holder, without incurring soiled fingers or hands.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved refill cartridge according to any of the foregoing, wherein the lipstick is securely positioned Within the housing of the cartridge against accidental dislodgment, thereby to provide the maximum possible protection for the lipstick.

A still further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved lipstick rell cartridge which is characterized by simple and economically constructed means for holding the lipstick against accidental dislodgment or shiftmg.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved lipstick cartridge of the type having a unitary lipstick and cup for insertion in the holder, wherein only relatively few parts of simple construction are required while at the same time there is retained ease of 'operation and freedom from soiling the fingers.

Y Other objects of the invention include the provision of lipstick cartridges in accordance with all of the above,

wherein the component parts are of simple structure and may be readily fabricated, and in which the manufacturing cost is held to a minimum.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved plunger or ejector type lipstick refill cartridge having few, simple and economically produceable components or parts, and wherein the operation of incorporating the lipstick into the casing or housing of the cartridge is done quickly with the utmost economy and without danger of damage to the lipstick.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a vertical, axial section taken through a lipstick cartridge constituting one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top or end view of the cartridge shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a manually operable plunger constituting part of the lipstick cartridge of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of the pointed end portion of the housing of the cartridge of Fig. 1, said portion normally carrying the plunger of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary axial sectional vieW of the lower portion of a rell cartridge, illustrating another form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 5, but illustrating yet another form of the invention.

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Fig. 7 is a vertical, axial sectional view of a lipstick reiill cartridge illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a vertical, axial sectional View of a rell cartridge illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section, enlarged, taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a vertical, axial sectional view of a refill cartridge showing still another form of the invention.

Fig. 12 is an axial sectional view of a lipstick cartridge illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a transverse section, enlarged, taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a view like Fig. 13, but showing yet another form of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a view like Fig. 1, showing still another form of the invention.

Fig. 16 illustrates the lipstick cartridge of Fig. 15 in the process of receiving molten lipstick material.

Fig. 17 shows a cartridge like that of Fig. 15 but with the lipstick body spaced from the casing walls.

Referring rst to Figs. l through 4, the improved lipstick reiill cartridge shown therein comprises a housing Ztl which is tubular and elongate iu shape, having a tapered end 21 provided with a central aperture 22 surrounded by a short skirt or collar 23.

Preferably, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the tapered end 21 of the housing 20 has converging liat sides or surfaces 24 conforming generally to the chisel-point shape of lipsticks as commonly provided at present.

Removably carried by the large or open end 25 of the housing 20 is a cup 26 arranged to carry a lipstick 27 in storage position within the housing 20, spaced from the inside walls thereof. For this purpose the bottom of the cup 26 has an annular shoulder 28 and a central indented or conical portion 29. The lower end of the lipstick 27 ts within the shoulder 28 and conforms to the conguration of the indentation 29 whereby the lipstick is securely held against lateral shifting and accidental dislodgment in the housing 20. A frictional lit is provided between the cup 26 and the open end 25 of the housing to enable the cup to be readily removed when it is desired to insert the lipstick 27 in a holder.

In accordance with the present invention, for the purpose of easily and quickly ejecting the lipstick 27 and inserting the same into a lipstick holder without experiencing soiled or smudged lingers, I provide a plunger 30, Fig. 3, having a tubular handle portion 31 extending through the aperture 22 and collar 23 of the housing 2i) and end 21. The plunger 30 has a pair of flat, generally triangular-shaped divergent opposed wings 32 proportioned to snugly fit Within the tapered end portion 2l of the housing and to engage and closely conform to the chisel-point end of the lipstick 27. To prevent accidental actuation of the plunger 30 I provide a hollow or tubular cap 33 adapted to be frictionally held on the handle portion 31 of the plunger and to abut the edge of the collar 23 of the housing.

When it is desired to insert the-lipstick 27 in a holder, the cup 26 is first removed from the large end of the housing 20. The cap 33 is lthen removed from the handle portion 31 of the plunger, and the open end 25 of the housing is applied to the mouth of the recess in the lipstick holder. The handle 31 of the plunger is then depressed, forcing the lipstick 27 partially out of the housing 20 and into `the recess of the holder where it will be retained in the usual manner. The housing 20 and plungervt) are then carefully withdrawn, and the lipstick retracted by the usual means provided on the holder, so as to be deeply seated within the latter.

For the purpose of facilitating the positioning of the open end of the housing in the mouth of the recess of the lipstick holder, the edge 34 of said housing is tapered as shown in Fig. l, substantially to a feather-edge.

It will be noted that in the operation of inserting the lipstick 27 in the lipstick holder an advantage is had in that at no time is it necessary for the hands or fingers of the user to come in contact with the lipstick 7.7, and thus there is avoided any possibility of smudging or soiling of fingers. Moreover, a lipstick cartridge as constructed above has relatively few parts or components, said parts being of simple structure and shape whereby they may be readily and economically fabricated as by a molding process.

A modified form of cup for carrying the lipstick is shown in Fig. 5. The cup 35 shown therein has a fiat bottom 36 provided with a spike or tine 37 arranged to extend into the end of the movement of the latter when it is stored in the housing 20. By the provision of the tine 37 adequate and uniform spacing 38 is maintained between the lipstick 27 and the inner walls of the housing 20. It will be observed that the cup 35 may material, in a simple multiple cavity mold.

Another form of cup for positioning the lipstick 27 in the housing 20 is shown in Fig. 6. This cup, indicated at 39 in Fig. 6, may be advantageously formed of paper or a paper product. of plastic in a manner similar to the cup 35 shown in Fig. 5. The cup 39 has a raised, generally fiat bottom portion 40, providing an annular peripheral portion 41 which has substantially a U-shape in cross section. The portion 41 has inner and outer walls the tapered end 34 of the housing frctionally held.

The bottom portion of the cup 39 has raised nibs 44 adapted to extend into the end of the lipstick 27, and said bottom portion may be provided with a spike i5 formed of metal, plastic or other suitable material, ar ranged to extend into the lipstick in conjunction with the nibs 44. The spike 45 may be headed over to secure it in piace as shown, or else secured in any other suitable manner.

in accordance with this invention I also provide a plnnger-ejecting type lipstick refill cartridge, having a unitary lipstick and cup; that is, a unitary assembly which adapted to be inserted into and held by the lipstick holder. Such assemblies tend to prevent corrosion of the metal of the holder when indelible lipsticks having corrosive characteristics are used, by virtue of the cup preventing the lipstick from touching the metal. This reiill cartridge is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and comprises a tubular housing 46 having a tapered end portion 47 and an open end portion 48 on which there is removably carried a cap 49. Within the end portion 48 of the housing 46 l provide a cup S) arranged to carry the lipstick 27. The cup 50 is preferably formed of a yieldable material such as polyethylene plastic (polymerized ethylene) which is substantially yielding and non-rigid when formed to various shapes. Accordingly, the cup 50 may be readily placed into the recess of a lipstick holder and be frictionally retained thereby.

Within the housing 46 I provide a tubular plunger 5i extending almost for the full length of the housing and at its lower end engaging the lip of the cup 50. The plunger 51 Ihas a tapered upper end 52 terminating in a tubular handle portion 53 of relatively small diameter, extending through an opening 54 in the tapered end portion 47 of the housing 46. As in the construction described above, the tapered portions 47 and 52 are shaped to conform to the chisel-point configuration of lipsticks as produced at present. Preferably the walls 20 is received and of the plunger 51 are 4formed to lipstick and to prevent lateral be readily molded of plastic Or, if desired, it may be molded 42 and 43 in which provide inwardly projecting longitudinally extending ribs 55 for the purpose of spacing the lipstick from the remainder of the walls.

When a user desires to operate the refill cartridge shown in Figs. 7 and 8, she first removes the cap 49 and then positions the protruding bottom portion of the cup 50 in the previously emptied recesses of the lipstick holder. The handle portion 53 of the plunger 51 is then depressed, ejecting the cup 50 and lipstick from the housing and positioning these in the recess of the holder. The housing 46 and plunger 51 are now carefully removed from the lipstick and the latter is retracted into the holder by the usual means provided. The cup 50, by keeping the lipstick from contact with the metal of the holder, prevents corrosion of the latter.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 9 and l0. In these figures a two-part housing 56 is provided, having cooperable mating halves 57 and 58 characterized by a longitudinal line or plane of separation. The edges of the housing parts 57 and 58 which engage each other are provided with shoulders 59 and 60 respectively, to provide a nesting engagement which retains the parts in their relative operative positions. The housing parts 57 and 58 have inturned flanges 61 and 62 which together constitute a substantially continuous annular iiange, said ange being received in a grooved rim 63 of a cup 64 arranged to hold the lpstick. The cup 64 may be of any suitable plastic material, preferably polyethylene whereby it is readily deformable to enable it to accommodate itself to different diameters of recesses in lipstick holders.

The casing parts 57 and 58 are held in assembled position by a cylindrical band 65, which is preferably frangible and formed of paper or other material whereby it may be easily broken. A user employing the cartridge shown in Figs. 9 and 10 grasps the housing 56 and inserts the cup 64 in the recess of the holder. She then breaks through the paper band 65 whereupon the two housing parts 57 and 58 may be removed, expos ing the lipstick which is then retracted in the usual manner into the holder.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. ll. In this form a housing 66 is provided having an open end 67 receiving and frictionally seizing a cup 68. Preferably the outside walls of the cup 68 have longitudinally extending ribs 69 engageable with the inside walls of the housing 66 to facilitate removal of the cup. A spike or tine 70 extends upwardly from the bottom of the cup, to impale the lipstick and securely retain the latter in the cup against accidental dislodgment.

To enable the cup l68 to be readily grasped for removal it is provided with a handle portion in the form of a depending skirt 71. In this form of lipstick cartridge the cup 68 and lipstick carried thereby may first be completely removed from the housing 66. The lipstick may then be grasped between `the fingers, using a tissue or other suitable shield, and the cup removed from the lipstick. Thereupon the lipstick may be inserted in the holder.

l prefer, however, to form Athe housing 66 of a plastic material and with a relatively thin wall, whereupon a more advantageous method of inserting the lipstick may be followed. In this method, the cup 68 and lipstick are only partially removed from the housing 66. The housing is then pressed or squeezed laterally to grasp the lipstick, and the cup 68 thereupon removed from the lipstick. The latter may then be inserted in the recess of the holder, and upon removal of squeezing pressure on the housing 66 it will return to its original shape, releasing the lipstick whereupon the housing may be carefully removed without deforming the lipstick.

In Figs. 1 2 and 13 I disclose another form of the invention, especially adapted to be operated in the manner just described above. In these figures a housing 72 is provided for use with the cup 68, said housing being molded of a yieldable plastic rmaterial such as polyethylene and having longitudinally extending wall sections 73 of reduced thickness, providing lines of weakness whereby the housing may be compressed laterally more readily to grasp the lipstick. It will be understood that when the housing is so compressed the wall portions 73 will bulge outward, and that when pressure is released from the housing 72 it may be applied to the wall portion 73 to restore the housing to its circular configuration and free the lipstick.

In Fig. 14 I disclose a housing 74 which may be of substantially uniform wall thickness, having longitudinally extending wall portions 75 which are ribbed or corrugated to weaken them structurally against lateral pressure. The operation of holding a lipstick with the housing 74 would be similar to that disclosed in connection with the housings 72 and 66, the corrugated wall portions 75 yielding readily to enable partial collapse of the housing 74 when it is squeezed.

I have thus provided in the structures above described, improved refill cartridges for lipstick holders wherein the lipsticks may be easily and quickly inserted in the holders without smudging or soiling of fingers, and wherein the cartridges are constituted of relatively few parts having simple shapes and structures which may be economically fabricated in large quantities.

In Figs. l5 and 16 there is shown another embodiment of the invention, in which the cost of incorporating the lipstick into the casing is reduced to a minimum, and the possibility of damage to the lipstick is eliminated. I accomplish this by so constructing the casing that it may function as a mold, in which the molten lipstick material may be poured. Thus I combine the operation of molding the lipstick and inserting the lipstick in the casing of the rell cartridge.

The lipstick cartridge shown in Fig. 15 comprises a tubular casing 76 of substantially cylindrical shape, which is preferably molded of a heat-resistant plastic material, which advantageously may be transparent. The casing 76 has a substantially cylindrical bore 77 and at its mouth a counterbore 78 of slightly larger diameter than the bore 77. At its other end, the casing 76 has an integral end wall 79 provided with a central aperture 80, said end wall thereby in effect constituting an inwardly extending flange. In the casing 76 a plunger 81 is provided, having a recessed face 82 preferably of hemispherical or conical shape, and having a recess 83 in its opposite face to facilitate molding and curing, and economize on materials. The plunger 81 has a shank 84 extending through the opening 80 of the end wall 79 of the casing, for the purpose of enabling the plunger to be forced downward in the casing to eject the lipstick. The projecting part of the shank 84 need not be longer than the depth of the cup of the lipstick holder to which the lipstick is transferred, obviously.

Normally a paper tube 85 is carried on the shank 84, being press tted thereto to prevent inadvertent actuation of the plunger 81 and ejection of the lipstick.

At its lower end the casing 76 carries a cap 86 which is preferably formed of paper, cardboard or the like, in the form of a cup.

Referring to Fig. 16, insertion of the lipstick 87 in the casing 76 is accomplished by pouring the molten lipstick material in the casing with the latter in an inverted position whereby it functions as a mold. The casing 76 is shown as being supported in the bed 88 of a filling machine, the cap 86 being removed as well as the safety sleeve 85. Molten lipstick material 89 is being deposited in the casing 76 from a funnel 90 of the filling machine. After the casing 76 has been completely filled, coolant is circulated in channels 91 of the bed to cool the casing 76 and harden the lipstick material. The casing is then removed from the filling machine, the cap 86 and safety sleeve 85 applied, whereupon the cartridge is complete.

By this construction and organization l effect a substan# tial saving in labor in the operation of placing the lipstick in the casing, .and at the same time eliminate any possibility of the lipstick being damaged during such operation. It will be evident that the lipstick 87 will assume the shape of the mold constituted by the casing 76 and the Vplunger 81, and that the cavity 82 in the face of the plunger may be given any desired configuration to provide a desired tip shape.

In Fig. 17 a lipstick cartridge is shown which is substantially similar to that of Figs. l5 and 16 except that the lipstick thereof is formed in a separate mold, and inserted into the casing of the cartridge after it has solidified. The lipstick 92 shown in Fig. 17 has a body portion 93 which is of smaller diameter than the body of the lipstick 87 'of Fig. 15, thereby to space the lipstick from the walls of the casing 76. The plunger 81 is also slightly spaced from the rounded end of the lipstick 92 4and it will be observed that the lipstick is therefore supported in the casing 76 entirely by its base portion 94 of enlarged diameter. By virtue of the limited area of contact between the lipstick 92 and the casing 76, less drag occurs when the lipstick is being ejected by the plunger, facilitating this operation. The spacing of the lipstick from the casing may in certain situations also prove to be advantageous in retaining the original lipstick shape and improving the appearance of the package. Components of the cartridge shown in Fig. 17 which are similar to those of Fig. 15 have been given like characters.

' By the provision of a casing having transparent walls the color or shade of the lipstick contained in the casing may be readily ascertained.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a refill cartridge for a lipstick holder, a tubular housing having open top and bottom ends, said housing being of a size to receive Xand enclose a lipstick; a lipstick having a pointed tip adjacent the upper end thereof and disposed within said housing; and a plunger disposed within and adjacent the top end of the housing and slidable therein, said plunger having a downwardly extending tapered portion engaging and conforming to the pointed tip of the lipstick and being operable to eject the lipstick to the bottom end of the housing.

2. The invention .as defined in claim l, in which the plunger has a handle portion projecting from the housing and in which there is a removable cap covering said handle portion to prevent unintentional actuation of the plunger.

3. The invention as ydefined in claim l, in which the plunger has a sleeve portion extending along the inside of the housing and arranged to encompass and engage the lipstick, thereby to centralize the latter in the housing.

4. In a refill cartridge for a lipstick holder, a tubular housing having open ends, said housing being of a size to receive and enclose a lipstick; a lipstick having `a pointed tip, disposed within said housing; and a plunger disposed within and adjacent one end of the housing and slidable therein, said plunger having a tapered portion engaging and conforming to the pointed tip of the lipstick and being operable to eject the lipstick through the other end of the housing, said one end of the housing having a tapered outwardly extended transverse wall generally conforming to the shape of the tapered plunger portion, said wall being provided with a relatively small central opening, and said plunger having a handle portion extending through the opening in the ,transverse wall, to provide for manipulation of the plunger.

5. In a refill `cartridge for a lipstick holder, a tubular housing having open ends, said housing being of a size to receive and enclose a lipstick; a lipstick having a pointed tip, disposed within said housing; and a plunger disposed within and adjacent one end of the housing and slidable therein, said plunger having a tapered portion engaging and conforming to the pointed tip of the lipstick and being operable to eject the lipstick through the other end of the housing, said plunger having an external handle portion and a removable cap enclosing the handle portion of the plunger, said cap abutting the housing and preventing inadvertent actuation of the handle and 5 plunger.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,495,800 Recker May 27, 1924 S Anderson Mar. 28, 1944 Natalicchio May 15, 1951 Matthews July 10, 1951 Lynn Nov. 6, 1951 Shelly Feb. 24, 1953 Clark Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland May 15, 1933 Great Britain Feb. 27, 1948 

